FreedomWorks - south carolinahttp://www.freedomworks.org/fieldtags/south-carolina
enStephen Moore visits Charleston for pre-debate luncheon http://www.freedomworks.org/content/stephen-moore-visits-charleston-pre-debate-luncheon
<div class="field field-name-field-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" rel="og:image rdfs:seeAlso" resource="//d7.freedomworks.org.s3.amazonaws.com/styles/large/s3/field/image/1_13 Moore luncheon 9.jpg?itok=K96boUmA"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="//d7.freedomworks.org.s3.amazonaws.com/styles/large/s3/field/image/1_13 Moore luncheon 9.jpg?itok=K96boUmA" width="480" height="360" alt="" /></div><div class="field-item odd" rel="og:image rdfs:seeAlso" resource="//d7.freedomworks.org.s3.amazonaws.com/styles/large/s3/field/image/1_13 Moore luncheon 3.jpg?itok=ev5l-QjB"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="//d7.freedomworks.org.s3.amazonaws.com/styles/large/s3/field/image/1_13 Moore luncheon 3.jpg?itok=ev5l-QjB" width="480" height="360" alt="" /></div><div class="field-item even" rel="og:image rdfs:seeAlso" resource="//d7.freedomworks.org.s3.amazonaws.com/styles/large/s3/field/image/1_13 Moore luncheon.jpg?itok=_LcYPcQ_"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="//d7.freedomworks.org.s3.amazonaws.com/styles/large/s3/field/image/1_13 Moore luncheon.jpg?itok=_LcYPcQ_" width="480" height="360" alt="" /></div><div class="field-item odd" rel="og:image rdfs:seeAlso" resource="//d7.freedomworks.org.s3.amazonaws.com/styles/large/s3/field/image/IMG_6228.JPG?itok=7mRczRlJ"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="//d7.freedomworks.org.s3.amazonaws.com/styles/large/s3/field/image/IMG_6228.JPG?itok=7mRczRlJ" width="480" height="360" alt="" /></div><div class="field-item even" rel="og:image rdfs:seeAlso" resource="//d7.freedomworks.org.s3.amazonaws.com/styles/large/s3/field/image/IMG_6212.JPG?itok=ZhPKRNlT"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="//d7.freedomworks.org.s3.amazonaws.com/styles/large/s3/field/image/IMG_6212.JPG?itok=ZhPKRNlT" width="480" height="360" alt="" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>On Wednesday, January 13, more than 100 FreedomWorks activists gathered for a pre-debate luncheon at Sticky Fingers Ribhouse in downtown Charleston, South Carolina to hear FreedomWorks Senior Economic Contributor, Stephen Moore, brief them on what to expect in tonight’s G.O.P. debate.</p>
<p>Activists came from all over the state to hear about FreedomWorks’ 2016 initiatives, such as defending the House Freedom Caucus, fighting the regulatory state and more about Moore’s 2016 Pro-Growth Agenda.</p>
<p>A special thanks to the Low Country Conservatives In Action (CIA) for their help with this important event!</p>
</div></div></div>Thu, 14 Jan 2016 18:27:35 +0000Kathy Hartkopf62247 at http://www.freedomworks.orghttp://www.freedomworks.org/content/stephen-moore-visits-charleston-pre-debate-luncheon#commentsRepublicans Should Promote Justice Reform in State of the Union Responsehttp://www.freedomworks.org/content/republicans-should-promote-justice-reform-state-union-response
<div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>On Tuesday, President Barack Obama will deliver his last State of the Union address to Congress. The address will no doubt have a heavy focus on foreign policy, terrorism, and controversial gun control actions. Another topic expected to receive some attention, with legislation on the move in the Senate, is criminal justice reform.</p>
<p>It would be an understatement to say that there are frequent disagreements on policy issues between the president and congressional Republicans. The White House has been promoting sentencing reform, corrections reform, and prisoner re-entry for months. Criminal justice reform is one area that has found support from some of the most conservative members of Congress, including Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) and Rep. Raul Labrador (R-Idaho).</p>
<p>House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) chose South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley to deliver the Republican response to the State of the Union. Although the speech will offer the GOP’s perspective on policy issues, especially in an election year, Republicans would be wise to include criminal justice reform in Haley’s remarks.</p>
<p>South Carolina has already implemented some criminal justice reforms that could be used to promote the issue from a conservative perspective. In 2010, both chambers of the South Carolina Legislature approved the Omnibus Crime Reduction and Sentencing Reform Act, which overhauled the state’s sentencing and corrections policies.</p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-tags field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Tags:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/fieldtags/state-union" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">state of the union</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/fieldtags/nikki-haley" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Nikki Haley</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/fieldtags/south-carolina" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">south carolina</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/tag/sentencing-reform" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">sentencing reform</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tag/sentencing-reform-and-corrections-act" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Sentencing Reform and Corrections Act</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-publication-name field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Publication Name:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/publication-name/medium" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Medium</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-source-url field-type-text field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">https://medium.com/@FreedomWorks/republicans-should-promote-justice-reform-in-state-of-the-union-response-40421d5d0c09#.1h2fced3r</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-publication-date field-type-date field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Date Published:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2016-01-06T00:00:00-05:00">Wednesday, January 6, 2016</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-fw-core-issues field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">FW Core Issues:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/issue/justice-reform" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Justice Reform</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-action-switch field-type-list-boolean field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Enable Call to Action on frontpage:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-button-text field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Button Text:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Read More at Medium</div></div></div>Wed, 06 Jan 2016 16:42:06 +0000jpye62213 at http://www.freedomworks.orghttp://www.freedomworks.org/content/republicans-should-promote-justice-reform-state-union-response#commentsSouth Carolina FreedomWorks Activists Support Mark Sanfordhttp://www.freedomworks.org/content/south-carolina-freedomworks-activists-support-mark-sanford
<div class="field field-name-field-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" rel="og:image rdfs:seeAlso" resource="//d7.freedomworks.org.s3.amazonaws.com/styles/large/s3/field/image/11_13 Sanford 9.jpg?itok=SAj8pQ1s"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="//d7.freedomworks.org.s3.amazonaws.com/styles/large/s3/field/image/11_13 Sanford 9.jpg?itok=SAj8pQ1s" width="480" height="270" alt="" /></div><div class="field-item odd" rel="og:image rdfs:seeAlso" resource="//d7.freedomworks.org.s3.amazonaws.com/styles/large/s3/field/image/11_13 Sanford 11.jpg?itok=bzaEKC7a"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="//d7.freedomworks.org.s3.amazonaws.com/styles/large/s3/field/image/11_13 Sanford 11.jpg?itok=bzaEKC7a" width="480" height="270" alt="" /></div><div class="field-item even" rel="og:image rdfs:seeAlso" resource="//d7.freedomworks.org.s3.amazonaws.com/styles/large/s3/field/image/11_13 Sanford 3.jpg?itok=a4y8lbFj"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="//d7.freedomworks.org.s3.amazonaws.com/styles/large/s3/field/image/11_13 Sanford 3.jpg?itok=a4y8lbFj" width="480" height="270" alt="" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p><em>The following was written by Pat Dansbury, a FreedomWorks activist based in South Carolina.</em></p>
<p>On Friday, November 13, FreedomWorks Southeastern Regional Coordinator Allen Page and other Tea Party grassroots activists from the Low Country in South Carolina met with Representative Mark Sanford (S.C.-1) at Subway in Bluffton, South Carolina to thank him for his courage as an active member of the House Freedom Caucus.</p>
<p>The activists told Rep. Sanford they were grateful for his work to fire and replace Rep. John Boehner (Ohio-8) as Speaker of the House. Who would have thought last June that we would have a new Speaker that appears willing to listen to all the House members? Additionally, they told the Congressman how grateful they are for his refreshing willingness to meet face to face and dialog with his constituents, either as individuals or in groups of any size.</p>
<p>Rep. Sanford expressed his gratitude for the consistent support that he has received from the grassroots as well as from FreedomWorks. He said we were true patriots for the work we have been doing and that each of us contributing in our own way was the reason we are starting to make progress in Congress.</p>
<p>The Congressman noted that when things are challenging in Washington, it meant so much to him to hear from and receive encouragement from grassroots activists in his district. He encouraged everyone to stay engaged in the fight and not give up, as we are having a positive impact. He said further that although the Freedom Caucus members were not the majority in the House, they were having an impact on the political scene in the House and that they will not give up. Several times during our meeting he indicated his deep heartfelt appreciation for our consistent continuing support.</p>
</div></div></div>Mon, 16 Nov 2015 16:10:34 +0000ccheap62101 at http://www.freedomworks.orghttp://www.freedomworks.org/content/south-carolina-freedomworks-activists-support-mark-sanford#commentsFreedomWorks Activists Thank Congressman Mick Mulvaneyhttp://www.freedomworks.org/content/freedomworks-activists-thank-congressman-mick-mulvaney
<div class="field field-name-field-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" rel="og:image rdfs:seeAlso" resource="//d7.freedomworks.org.s3.amazonaws.com/styles/large/s3/field/image/20151012_084427.jpg?itok=94gfVkwC"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="//d7.freedomworks.org.s3.amazonaws.com/styles/large/s3/field/image/20151012_084427.jpg?itok=94gfVkwC" width="480" height="270" alt="" /></div><div class="field-item odd" rel="og:image rdfs:seeAlso" resource="//d7.freedomworks.org.s3.amazonaws.com/styles/large/s3/field/image/20151012_085850.jpg?itok=cEIsxSCA"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="//d7.freedomworks.org.s3.amazonaws.com/styles/large/s3/field/image/20151012_085850.jpg?itok=cEIsxSCA" width="480" height="270" alt="" /></div><div class="field-item even" rel="og:image rdfs:seeAlso" resource="//d7.freedomworks.org.s3.amazonaws.com/styles/large/s3/field/image/20151012_085919.jpg?itok=dH0nmp3G"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="//d7.freedomworks.org.s3.amazonaws.com/styles/large/s3/field/image/20151012_085919.jpg?itok=dH0nmp3G" width="480" height="270" alt="" /></div><div class="field-item odd" rel="og:image rdfs:seeAlso" resource="//d7.freedomworks.org.s3.amazonaws.com/styles/large/s3/field/image/20151012_083727.jpg?itok=0w0ZcRFY"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="//d7.freedomworks.org.s3.amazonaws.com/styles/large/s3/field/image/20151012_083727.jpg?itok=0w0ZcRFY" width="480" height="270" alt="" /></div><div class="field-item even" rel="og:image rdfs:seeAlso" resource="//d7.freedomworks.org.s3.amazonaws.com/styles/large/s3/field/image/20151012_084720.jpg?itok=DlUS5NGA"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="//d7.freedomworks.org.s3.amazonaws.com/styles/large/s3/field/image/20151012_084720.jpg?itok=DlUS5NGA" width="480" height="270" alt="" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>On Monday, I was pleased to join FreedomWorks activists from South Carolina's 5th District as they met with their congressman, Mick Mulvaney. Activists thanked Congressman Mulvaney for standing for them and for standing with the House Freedom Caucus. Congressman Mulvaney joined us for a breakfast meeting at the Anna J restaurant in Rock Hill.</p>
<p>Congressman Mulvaney thanked FreedomWorks for all we do and especially for not just helping him get to Congress but for supporting him while he is there!</p>
<p>Congressman Mulvaney spoke about the House Freedom Caucus, their numbers, and how they function. He shared with the group that if his fellow Freedom Caucus member, Mark Meadows (R-NC) is primaried, he plans to travel to North Carolina to walk door-to-door in Congressman Meadows District! Congress Meadows has been threatened with a primary since he <a href="http://www.freedomworks.org/content/boehner%E2%80%99s-blunder-meadows-moves-retire-speaker">filed the petition to "Fire John Boehner."</a></p>
<p>Congressman Mulvaney also gave a House leadership update and spoke about justice reform and the importance of the diversity of support for these issues. The Congressman shared that he recently met with the President of the NAACP In Rock Hill about their shared interest in justice reform.</p>
</div></div></div>Tue, 13 Oct 2015 13:00:03 +0000Kathy Hartkopf61987 at http://www.freedomworks.orghttp://www.freedomworks.org/content/freedomworks-activists-thank-congressman-mick-mulvaney#commentsWatch Deneen Borelli Speech At SC Tea Party Coalition Convention (photo gallery)http://www.freedomworks.org/content/watch-deneen-borelli-speech-sc-tea-party-coalition-convention-photo-gallery
<div class="field field-name-field-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" rel="og:image rdfs:seeAlso" resource="//d7.freedomworks.org.s3.amazonaws.com/styles/large/s3/field/image/DSC_0062.JPG?itok=CwvPNW3A"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="//d7.freedomworks.org.s3.amazonaws.com/styles/large/s3/field/image/DSC_0062.JPG?itok=CwvPNW3A" width="480" height="319" alt="Deneen with Rev. Jay Mace " /></div><div class="field-item odd" rel="og:image rdfs:seeAlso" resource="//d7.freedomworks.org.s3.amazonaws.com/styles/large/s3/field/image/DSC_0066.JPG?itok=rZfWj4-r"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="//d7.freedomworks.org.s3.amazonaws.com/styles/large/s3/field/image/DSC_0066.JPG?itok=rZfWj4-r" width="480" height="319" alt="Tom, Deneen and Pastor Rafael Cruz" /></div><div class="field-item even" rel="og:image rdfs:seeAlso" resource="//d7.freedomworks.org.s3.amazonaws.com/styles/large/s3/field/image/DSC_0056.JPG?itok=m9qn0vN6"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="//d7.freedomworks.org.s3.amazonaws.com/styles/large/s3/field/image/DSC_0056.JPG?itok=m9qn0vN6" width="480" height="319" alt="" /></div><div class="field-item odd" rel="og:image rdfs:seeAlso" resource="//d7.freedomworks.org.s3.amazonaws.com/styles/large/s3/field/image/deneen and lucretia hughes.jpeg?itok=zLddkFs0"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="//d7.freedomworks.org.s3.amazonaws.com/styles/large/s3/field/image/deneen and lucretia hughes.jpeg?itok=zLddkFs0" width="266" height="320" alt="Deneen with Lucretia Hughes" /></div><div class="field-item even" rel="og:image rdfs:seeAlso" resource="//d7.freedomworks.org.s3.amazonaws.com/styles/large/s3/field/image/DSC_0054.JPG?itok=3tociog1"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="//d7.freedomworks.org.s3.amazonaws.com/styles/large/s3/field/image/DSC_0054.JPG?itok=3tociog1" width="480" height="319" alt="" /></div><div class="field-item odd" rel="og:image rdfs:seeAlso" resource="//d7.freedomworks.org.s3.amazonaws.com/styles/large/s3/field/image/deneen and kenneth battle.jpeg?itok=lwcepn_5"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="//d7.freedomworks.org.s3.amazonaws.com/styles/large/s3/field/image/deneen and kenneth battle.jpeg?itok=lwcepn_5" width="240" height="320" alt="Deneen with Kenneth Battle" /></div><div class="field-item even" rel="og:image rdfs:seeAlso" resource="//d7.freedomworks.org.s3.amazonaws.com/styles/large/s3/field/image/DSC_0074.JPG?itok=vpHl0CT4"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="//d7.freedomworks.org.s3.amazonaws.com/styles/large/s3/field/image/DSC_0074.JPG?itok=vpHl0CT4" width="480" height="319" alt="SC Rep. Jeff Duncan, Deneen and Kathy Hartkopf" /></div><div class="field-item odd" rel="og:image rdfs:seeAlso" resource="//d7.freedomworks.org.s3.amazonaws.com/styles/large/s3/field/image/DSC_0072.JPG?itok=ecpIwnLP"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="//d7.freedomworks.org.s3.amazonaws.com/styles/large/s3/field/image/DSC_0072.JPG?itok=ecpIwnLP" width="480" height="319" alt="Kevin Jackson with Deneen" /></div><div class="field-item even" rel="og:image rdfs:seeAlso" resource="//d7.freedomworks.org.s3.amazonaws.com/styles/large/s3/field/image/deneen and guys.jpeg?itok=rqqwVJkH"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="//d7.freedomworks.org.s3.amazonaws.com/styles/large/s3/field/image/deneen and guys.jpeg?itok=rqqwVJkH" width="308" height="320" alt="" /></div><div class="field-item odd" rel="og:image rdfs:seeAlso" resource="//d7.freedomworks.org.s3.amazonaws.com/styles/large/s3/field/image/DSC_0011.JPG?itok=Suo2hD2v"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="//d7.freedomworks.org.s3.amazonaws.com/styles/large/s3/field/image/DSC_0011.JPG?itok=Suo2hD2v" width="480" height="319" alt="" /></div><div class="field-item even" rel="og:image rdfs:seeAlso" resource="//d7.freedomworks.org.s3.amazonaws.com/styles/large/s3/field/image/DSC_0003.JPG?itok=8M9Gy368"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="//d7.freedomworks.org.s3.amazonaws.com/styles/large/s3/field/image/DSC_0003.JPG?itok=8M9Gy368" width="480" height="319" alt="" /></div><div class="field-item odd" rel="og:image rdfs:seeAlso" resource="//d7.freedomworks.org.s3.amazonaws.com/styles/large/s3/field/image/securedownload-1.jpg?itok=9_K_Q0LH"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="//d7.freedomworks.org.s3.amazonaws.com/styles/large/s3/field/image/securedownload-1.jpg?itok=9_K_Q0LH" width="384" height="480" alt="" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>Progressives and establishment Republicans look out!</p>
<p>The Tea Party is alive and it’s energized to back politicians that will reduce the size of government.</p>
<p>I was a speaker at the South Carolina Coalition Convention last weekend where over a thousand conservative activists gathered to prepare for future elections.</p>
<p>Over a thousand grassroots activists traveled from around the country to hear from policy experts and politicians.</p>
<p>At the event, I had the pleasure of reconnecting with grassroots patriots that I’ve met over the past few years from many states including New Jersey, North Carolina, Mississippi, South Carolina and Texas.</p>
<p>It’s always rewarding for me to talk with these activists and I was thrilled that so many of them wanted to have their pictures taken with me.</p>
<p>During my speech, I mentioned the importance of grassroots activism and I cited FreedomWorks’ recent mobilization that resulted in 25 House members voting against electing John Boehner (R-OH) as Speaker.</p>
<p>Even though that effort was not successful, grassroots activism sent a powerful message to House members that they will remember for the next battle.</p>
<p>The crowd was electrifying and they enthusiastically supported my call to reignite liberty through grassroots activism.</p>
<p>America is an exceptional country and it will remain exceptional because of the actions of these patriots.</p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-button-text field-type-text field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Watch Video</div></div></div>Tue, 20 Jan 2015 18:53:06 +0000deneen.borelli61026 at http://www.freedomworks.orghttp://www.freedomworks.org/content/watch-deneen-borelli-speech-sc-tea-party-coalition-convention-photo-gallery#commentsTop 10 Absurd Quotes by Lindsey Grahamhttp://www.freedomworks.org/content/top-10-absurd-quotes-lindsey-graham
<div class="field field-name-field-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" rel="og:image rdfs:seeAlso" resource="//d7.freedomworks.org.s3.amazonaws.com/styles/large/s3/field/image/lindseygraham4.jpg?itok=KEthYeQF"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="//d7.freedomworks.org.s3.amazonaws.com/styles/large/s3/field/image/lindseygraham4.jpg?itok=KEthYeQF" width="480" height="270" alt="" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p><strong>1. On Syria: "The world is literally about to blow up and our president did not really paint a fair picture of the threats we face."</strong> <em><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/01/29/lindsey-graham-syria_n_4687259.html">Source</a>: Huffington Post.</em></p>
<p>Senator Lindsey Graham was one of the biggest advocates of U.S. military intervention in Syria last year. FreedomWorks, along with the overwhelming <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-fix/wp/2013/09/03/most-in-u-s-oppose-syria-strike-post-abc-poll-finds/">majority</a> of Americans, strongly <a href="https://secure.freedomworks.org/site/Advocacy?alertId=1205&amp;pg=makeACall">opposed</a> the Syria strike resolution. It was ultimately never voted on—and the world has not blown up.</p>
<p><strong>2. “We agree that climate change is real and threatens our economy and national security. That is why we are advocating aggressive reductions in our emissions of the carbon gases that cause climate change.”</strong> <em><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/11/opinion/11kerrygraham.html?pagewanted=all&amp;_r=0">Source</a>: The New York Times.</em></p>
<p>This is a direct quote from a New York Times op-ed that Senator Lindsey Graham authored with Democratic Senator John Kerry. Back in 2009, Graham was the only Republican <a href="http://michellemalkin.com/2009/10/11/what-did-i-tell-ya-lindsy-graham-signs-on-to-cap-and-tax/">cosponsor</a> on the Cap and Trade bill with Senators Joe Lieberman and John Kerry. Cap and Trade policies would <a href="http://www.freedomworks.org/content/top-10-reasons-oppose-cap-and-trade">raise</a> energy costs, kill jobs, and increase the national debt.</p>
<p><strong>3. “I think TARP I was necessary because the whole economy was going to collapse and Bernanke, Paulson, and everybody that I know and quite frankly trust, after Lehman brothers went down, that if we had not involved ourselves quickly you’d have a financial meltdown.”</strong> <em><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&amp;v=B89v-ve69wQ">Source</a>: Campaign for Liberty video.</em></p>
<p>Senator Lindsey Graham voted in favor of the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP). Also known as the $700 billion bank bailout. FreedomWorks strongly opposed TARP during the George W. Bush administration. (Flashback 2008 article: <a href="http://reason.com/archives/2008/10/02/what-would-mises-do">What Would Mises Do</a>?) Simply put, taxpayers should not be hook to pay for the bad decisions of big banks.</p>
<p><strong>4. “Free speech is a great idea, but we’re in a war.”</strong> <em><a href="http://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2011/04/03/lindsey_graham_free_speech_is_a_great_idea_but_were_in_a_war.html">Source</a>: Real Clear Politics.</em></p>
<p>Nope. Free speech is a great idea—at all times. Americans don’t really have freedom of speech if the government can take it away during difficult times. These are the crucial times when freedom of speech matters the most. Everyone should be free to criticize the bad actions of government without fear of persecution.</p>
<p><strong>5. He [Rand Paul]’s saying now that he wants this President to tell him that he will not use a drone to kill an American citizen sitting in a café having a cup of coffee, who is not a combatant. I find the question offensive. As much as I disagree with President Obama, as much as I support past presidents, I do not believe that question deserves an answer.”</strong> <em><a href="http://www.mediaite.com/tv/lindsey-graham-slams-rand-paul-gopers-cheering-him-pauls-position-on-drones-not-%E2%80%98a-republican-view%E2%80%99/">Source</a>: Mediaite.</em></p>
<p>Senator Lindsey Graham vocally opposed Senator Rand Paul’s filibuster on drones. Paul <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/sen-rand-paul-my-filibuster-was-just-the-beginning/2013/03/08/6352d8a8-881b-11e2-9d71-f0feafdd1394_story.html">said</a> his intention was, “to sound an alarm bell from coast to coast. I wanted everybody to know that our Constitution is precious and that no American should be killed by a drone without first being charged with a crime.” The public response to Paul’s filibuster was overwhelmingly <a href="http://www.usnews.com/opinion/blogs/anneke-green/2013/03/12/rand-pauls-filibuster-was-gop-win-not-mccain-graham-tantrum">positive</a>. Unfortunately, Graham <a href="http://michellemalkin.com/2013/03/07/lindsey-graham-premise-of-rand-pauls-filibuster-is-ridiculous/">said</a> that the premise behind the filibuster was “ridiculous.”</p>
<p><strong>6. “We need to raise taxes to get our nation out of debt.”</strong> <em><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u2SvoyTddBs">Source</a>: Face the Nation.</em></p>
<p>Ugh. That’s the last thing we need. Americans shouldn’t be forced to surrender even more of our hard earned money to the government. How about slashing spending to get our nation out of debt instead?</p>
<p><strong>7. “NCLB was a historic effort to bring about accountability to our schools and measure achievement and progress of our students.”</strong> <em><a href="http://www.lgraham.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=PressRoom.PressReleases&amp;ContentRecord_id=8fec0ebf-802a-23ad-4ef6-43ea2501fd8e&amp;Region_id=&amp;Issue_id=03dff58e-1dc6-4bde-83f9-c3b76244970b">Source</a>: Graham Press Release.</em></p>
<p>Senator Lindsey Graham <a href="https://votesmart.org/candidate/key-votes/21992/lindsey-graham?sponsorships=1#.UzCvkPldXeo">cosponsored</a> and voted for No Child Left Behind (NCLB). FreedomWorks opposed this federal government takeover of education during the George W. Bush administration. NCLB is an expensive law that <a href="http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/news/education/story/2012-01-07/no-child-left-behind-anniversary/52430722/1">hasn’t</a> improved education quality.</p>
<p><strong>8. “I’m going to vote with my party. I just think oil subsidies have to be part of a bigger package.”</strong> <em><a href="http://www.thepoliticalguide.com/Profiles/Senate/South_Carolina/Lindsey_Graham/Views/Energy_and_the_Environment/">Source</a>: The Political Guide</em>.</p>
<p>Senator Lindsey Graham <a href="http://www.thepoliticalguide.com/Profiles/Senate/South_Carolina/Lindsey_Graham/Views/Energy_and_the_Environment/">voted</a> no on legislation to end oil subsidies. Don’t we already pay enough for gas? Why should taxpayers be forced to subsidize big oil companies?</p>
<p><strong>9. “I’m a Verizon customer. I don’t mind Verizon turning over records to the government if the government is going to make sure that they try to match up a known terrorist phone with somebody in the United States. I don’t think you’re talking to the terrorists. I know you’re not. I know I’m not. So we don’t have anything to worry about.”</strong> <em><a href="http://www.politico.com/story/2013/06/nsa-phone-tracking-92344_Page3.html">Source</a>: Politico.</em></p>
<p>Senator Lindsey Graham is “<a href="http://www.politico.com/story/2013/06/lindsey-graham-nsa-tracking-phones-92330.html">glad</a>” that the NSA is intrusively spying on U.S. citizens. FreedomWorks <a href="https://secure.freedomworks.org/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&amp;page=UserAction&amp;id=1087">launched</a> a Demand Lindsey Graham’s Password Campaign after his comments in support of the PRISM program. FreedomWorks President Matt Kibbe <a href="http://www.freedomworks.org/content/freedomworks-president-matt-kibbe-asks-senator-lindsey-graham-his-email-password">said</a>, “Respectfully, Senator, we ask you to lead by example and make your email account password available to the American people. If you have nothing to hide, then you have nothing to worry about. Right?” To no one’s surprise, he didn’t cooperate. The truth is that privacy is something that we all value—and something government shouldn’t take away from us.</p>
<p><strong>10. "And when they say, ‘I want my lawyer,’ you tell them, ‘Shut up. You don’t get a lawyer.'”</strong> <em><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/02/us/senate-declines-to-resolve-issue-of-american-qaeda-suspects-arrested-in-us.html?_r=0">Source</a>: New York Times.</em></p>
<p>Senator Lindsey Graham is a strong supporter of the National Defense Authorization Act with the indefinite detention language. The controversial law contains a section that grants the president unlimited power to <a href="http://reason.com/blog/2011/12/05/shut-up-you-dont-get-a-lawyer-the-defens">detain</a> an American citizen without charge or trial. The indefinite definition provision is a clear violation of the Constitution. The Sixth Amendment states that the “accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial” in all criminal prosecutions.</p>
<p>Why is Lindsey Graham ignoring the Constitution?</p>
</div></div></div>Tue, 25 Mar 2014 18:57:23 +0000JBorowski59538 at http://www.freedomworks.orghttp://www.freedomworks.org/content/top-10-absurd-quotes-lindsey-graham#commentsNullifying the Law of the Landhttp://www.freedomworks.org/content/nullifying-law-land
<div class="field field-name-field-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" rel="og:image rdfs:seeAlso" resource="//d7.freedomworks.org.s3.amazonaws.com/styles/large/s3/field/image/GeorgiaCapitol.jpg?itok=yiS1cZR-"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="//d7.freedomworks.org.s3.amazonaws.com/styles/large/s3/field/image/GeorgiaCapitol.jpg?itok=yiS1cZR-" width="480" height="320" alt="Georgia Capitol" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>“It’s the law of the land.” This has been the repeated refrain from defenders of ObamaCare against any effort to repeal, replace, or reform the disastrous policy that is causing millions of Americans to lose their existing health insurance and experience drastic, unexpected premium hikes.</p>
<p>The argument seems to be that, once a bill becomes law, it is effectively carved in stone and can never be changed. This would be baffling enough on its own—what if the same logic had been applied to prohibition or slavery?—but it takes a special kind of hypocrisy to persist in this line of attack amid the executive actions of which President Obama seems so fond.</p>
<p>In addition to selectively ignoring laws he doesn’t like, the president has repeatedly altered this “law of the land” on his own authority, bypassing Congress and the conventional lawmaking process, and assuming legislative duties outside of those granted him by the Constitution. Whenever an unpopular provision threatens to take effect at a politically inconvenient time, the president’s concern for upholding the law as written flies out the window, replaced by an eagerness to hand out delays and waivers to protected interest groups and large voting blocs.</p>
<p>Clearly, the designation “law of the land” doesn’t have the rhetorical clout its exponents claim, but that street runs both ways. If the president does not see fit to abide by his own laws, then why should the rest of the country submit without a fight?</p>
<p>Fortunately, the rest of the country is doing no such thing. Today, the Georgia State Senate <a href="http://beta.mirror.augusta.com/news/government/2014-03-19/bill-block-state-implementation-obamacare-clears-georgia-legislature?v=1395221053">resurrected</a> a bill many feared was dead, blocking the ObamaCare health insurance exchanges in the state and therefore weakening the law’s hold on the Georgia public. Later today, a vote is expected on a nullification bill in South Carolina.</p>
<p>Overall, eleven states have <a href="http://tracking.tenthamendmentcenter.com/issues/obamacare/?doing_wp_cron=1393004602.7553679943084716796875">undertaken legislative action</a> to effectively nullify the Affordable Care Act, protecting their citizens from its harmful effects. Contrary to popular opinion, this does not simply mean a refusal to abide by federal law, but is instead a respected and legal legislative process with a lengthy history of judicial precedent. For more than 150 years, the Supreme Court has recognized “the anti-commandeering doctrine,” which holds that states cannot be coerced into enforcing federal statutes. Thus, when the Department of Health and Human Services threatened states with the loss of federal funding if they failed to expand Medicaid, the Court ruled in favor of the states, holding that such a threat violated the anti-commandeering doctrine.</p>
<p>The states in question recognize that they have no legal obligation to take on ObamaCare’s enforcement duties, and as such are taking steps to ban the operations of health insurance exchanges and decline any enforcement of the ObamaCare mandates. This would force the federal government to take on 100 percent of enforcement duties itself, an immense task for which it is utterly unprepared. A key assumption behind the law was that states could be forced into cooperation. Absent this, there are simply not enough federal resources to enforce the law in its current form.</p>
<p>Another important action states are taking is to block the expansion of Medicaid, which was supposed to account for an additional $1 trillion in entitlement spending. Blocking the Medicaid expansion would go a long way towards defunding the new entitlement spending under the Affordable Care Act.</p>
<p>ObamaCare has already been shown to be an abject failure, with most of its effects so far being the exact opposite of what Americans were promised. In a desperate move to salvage its signature accomplishment, the Obama administration has continually moved the goalposts, issuing delays and exemptions, and walking back earlier promises. Most recently, Vice-President Biden attempted to <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2014/02/21/biden-lowers-obamacare-enrollment-projection/?intcmp=latestnews">lower expectations</a> by revising enrollment projections downwards—a necessary step due to the law’s inability to attract young enrollees.</p>
<p>The massive amounts of political capital the president and his allies invested in the Affordable Care Act means that the fight to repeal it will be long and difficult, even if Republicans take back the Senate this November. In the meantime, the best chance at dismantling ObamaCare and beginning to undo the damage is for the states to take matters into their own hands, effectively nullifying the law and forcing the federal government to assume responsibility for the “law of the land” it has forced upon the American people.</p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-button-text field-type-text field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Help Block the ObamaCare Exchanges in Your State</div></div></div>Wed, 19 Mar 2014 19:00:02 +0000logan.albright59502 at http://www.freedomworks.orghttp://www.freedomworks.org/content/nullifying-law-land#commentsThe Anti-Common Core Movement Gains a New Ally http://www.freedomworks.org/content/anti-common-core-movement-gains-new-ally
<div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>&nbsp;This week, the GOP Executive Committee in South Carolina unanimously voted to reject Common Core standards. The resolution, which can be viewed<a href="http://www.scgop.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/SCGOP-Res-CommonCore.pdf"> here</a>, is a huge step forward in the fight against Common Core.&nbsp; </p><p>Contention between Common Core advocates and anti-Common Core activists has reached a boiling point in recent months as several states have considered pausing on the implementation of the standards. Kentucky and New York both saw a significant drop in test scores since the standards were brought into the classroom. Such poor performance has led many states to reconsider the standards and the tests that accompany Common Core.&nbsp;</p><p>Proponents of Common Core would have the public believe that dissenters are limited to a few angry, “white suburban mothers”, a claim that will be harder to make as opposition to the standards grow. Resolutions, like the one in South Carolina, are proof that anti-Common Core sentiment is not going anywhere. As grassroots efforts grow, we are also seeing local governments have no choice but to take a closer look at the standards and what they are seeing is not instilling a great deal of confidence. &nbsp; </p><p>It is precisely because of grassroots activism that we are seeing local governments take a stand against the Common Core standards. It is easy to dismiss a few angry parents as being on the “fringe” of an issue, but as we are rapidly multiplying our numbers, we have become impossible to ignore. &nbsp;The actions of the GOP in South Carolina are proof that we are beginning to change the hearts and minds across the country, community by community. Isn’t that what all of us are fighting for to begin with? Education decision should be made on the local level and not by special interests groups and federal bureaucrats.</p><p>In addition to the South Carolina GOP, Louisiana has also decided to delay the implementation of the standards for two years because of the dedication and perseverance of local parents and activist on the ground. &nbsp; </p><p>As we continue our fight against Common Core in the New Year, let us look back on our 2013 efforts as a success. Our base has grown drastically and we are finally able to work with local legislatures to stop Common Core to help return to an education system that is dictated by local control and parental choice.</p></div></div></div>Thu, 19 Dec 2013 17:41:03 +0000Britt_Hem58160 at http://www.freedomworks.orghttp://www.freedomworks.org/content/anti-common-core-movement-gains-new-ally#commentsLindsey Graham vs. the Constitutionhttp://www.freedomworks.org/content/lindsey-graham-vs-constitution
<div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p><span>What is going on with Republican (?) Senator Lindsey Graham from South Carolina? He’s never been the most conservative of conservatives but, this week, he’s managed to tell us just how unimportant he finds the Constitution not once, but twice. Apparently, in Lindsey Graham’s world, the First and Fourth amendments are disposable. </span></p>
<p><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 1.3em; word-spacing: normal;">On Tuesday, Lindsey Graham questioned whether or not the First Amendment applies to all Americans, or just a select few. Congress is weighing a </span><a href="http://www.nationaljournal.com/politics/why-a-media-shield-law-isn-t-enough-to-save-journalists-20130529" style="letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 1.3em; word-spacing: normal;">media shield law</a><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 1.3em; word-spacing: normal;"> in the wake of the AP/Justice Department scandal. That leads to the question of whether or not bloggers will be covered under such a shield. When asked about it, Graham </span><a href="http://news.yahoo.com/lindsey-graham-isnt-sure-bloggers-deserve-first-amendment-115854168.html;_ylt=A2KJ2UaqvLBRRWAAuETQtDMD" style="letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 1.3em; word-spacing: normal;">said</a><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 1.3em; word-spacing: normal;"> </span></p>
<blockquote><p><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 1.3em; word-spacing: normal;">"Who is a journalist is a question we need to ask ourselves. Is any blogger out there saying anything—do they deserve First Amendment protection? These are the issues of our times." </span></p>
</blockquote>
<p><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 1.3em; word-spacing: normal;">Of course, this immediately raised a few eyebrows. Graham later chalked that up to a slip of the tongue, and later </span><a href="https://twitter.com/GrahamBlog/status/342372414136672256" style="letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 1.3em; word-spacing: normal;">tweeted</a></p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p><a href="https://twitter.com/GrahamBlog/status/342372414136672256" style="letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 1.3em; word-spacing: normal;">Just to be clear, every blogger is entitled to constitutionally-protected Freedom of Speech.</a></p>
<p><a href="https://twitter.com/GrahamBlog/status/342372414136672256" style="letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 1.3em; word-spacing: normal;">— Lindsey Graham (@GrahamBlog) </a><a href="https://twitter.com/GrahamBlog/status/342372414136672256">June 5, 2013</a></p></blockquote>
<script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script><p>
</p><p><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 1.3em; word-spacing: normal;">Senator Graham didn't mention anything about the right to free press though.</span></p>
<p><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 1.3em; word-spacing: normal;">If that tweet made anyone suspect that Graham was a friend of the Constitution, it should be back in question today. As it was <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/jun/06/nsa-phone-records-verizon-court-order">reported</a> yesterday, the NSA has been collecting the phone records and metadata of millions of Verizon customers in the United States. Certainly no fan of limited government can be ok with such unwarranted (literal and figurative) breach of our Fourth Amendment. Not to worry! Graham once again proved that he is <em>not</em> such a fan. </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 1.3em; word-spacing: normal;">"I'm a Verizon customer," Graham <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/06/06/lindsey-graham-nsa_n_3396223.html?utm_hp_ref=politics">said</a>. "I don't mind Verizon turning over records to the government if the government is going to make sure that they try to match up a known terrorist phone with somebody in the United States." He then doubled down on his position, <a href="http://www.theblaze.com/stories/2013/06/06/lindsey-graham-im-a-verizon-customer-i-dont-mind-them-giving-my-records-to-the-nsa-because-im-not-talking-to-terrorists/">saying</a> “I’m sure we should be doing this.” </span></p>
<p><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 1.3em; word-spacing: normal;">In what version of America does he live? In what America can the government flagrantly step on the Constitution when they see fit? Lindsey Graham’s America, apparently. The last thing we need in this country is big-government politicians masquerading as conservatives. Graham, we’re on to you. </span></p>
<p><span> </span></p>
<p><span> </span></p>
</div></div></div>Thu, 06 Jun 2013 17:04:09 +0000AmeliaHamilton57427 at http://www.freedomworks.orghttp://www.freedomworks.org/content/lindsey-graham-vs-constitution#commentsDems Criticize ObamaCare in Quest to Control the Househttp://www.freedomworks.org/content/dems-criticize-obamacare-quest-control-house
<div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><a href="http://www.freedomworks.org/democracy-and-power-110" target="_blank"><strong>Democracy and Power 110: Majority Leader of the Senate and the Speaker of the House</strong></a><p><em>In order to get power and retain it, it is necessary to love power; but love of power is not connected with goodness but with qualities that are the opposite of goodness, such as pride, cunning, and cruelty.</em> —Leo Tolstoy</p><p>The first vote in a legislative session is the <em>most</em> important. The Senate and the House of Representatives vote for their leaders. The leadership positions are invariably decided by which party has the majority.</p><p>Why are the Speaker of the House and the Majority Leader of the Senate so important? They appoint the committees. Making sure they have the majority in all the committees, they appoint their loyal party members. Then, the majority party controls legislation.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><strong>Dems Criticize ObamaCare in Quest to Control the House</strong><p>On Tuesday in South Carolina, there will be a special House-election between former Governor Mark Sanford, Republican, and Elizabeth Colbert Busch, Democrat.&nbsp; In a recent debate, <a href="http://www.buzzfeed.com/katenocera/colbert-busch-calls-obamacare-extremely-problematic" target="_blank">Colbert-Busch was very critical</a> of ObamaCare claiming it was expensive, hurt seniors, caused unemployment and needed to be fixed.&nbsp; She said:&nbsp;</p><p>"Obamacare is extremely problematic, it is expensive, it is a $500 billion cost than we originally anticipated, it's cutting into Medicare benefits and it's having companies lay off their employees because they are worried about the cost of it. That is extremely problematic, it needs an enormous fix,"</p><p>Please note, Colbert-Busch <em>did not</em> pledge to repeal ObamaCare.&nbsp; She is invoking a scheme that Democratic spin-masters created for the 2010 election.&nbsp; [Read: <a href="http://www.freedomworks.org/blog/teda/a-total-of-279-house-and-senate-democrats-voted-fo" target="_blank">A Total of 279 House and Senate Democrats Voted for ObamaCare</a>]&nbsp; In essence, the mantra was and still remains, “Yes, ObamaCare has some flaws that need to be improved.”&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Colbert-Busch's statement was carefully vetted, rehearsed and approved by the queen, Nancy Pelosi.&nbsp; This ploy is all about power, and Pelosi returning as Speaker of the House.&nbsp; The Democrats need to pick up <em>17 members</em> to control the House.&nbsp; So, Colbert-Busch pandered to the very conservative and numerous senior citizens in her Congressional District.&nbsp; Highlighting the terrible consequences of ObamaCare was deemed necessary to win one more Democratic vote in Congress.</p><p><strong>Duplicity by Pelosi</strong></p><p>Almost simultaneous to Colbert-Busch's statement, Pelosi bragged about ObamaCare and asserted losing Congressional power was a worthwhile sacrifice.&nbsp; As outlined in this <a href="http://freebeacon.com/pelosi-on-10-elections-i-do-not-subscribe-to-the-notion-that-we-did-not-win-the-election-because-of-the-health-care-bill/" target="_blank">short video</a>:&nbsp;</p><p><em>I do not subscribe to the notion that we did not win the election (2010) because of the health care bill. If we did, for tens of millions of Americans to have health care was well worth any of our political careers in my view.” </em></p><p><strong>It is All About Power</strong></p><p>If elected, Colbert-Busch will vote for a Democrat to become Speaker, just as Sanford will most-likely vote for a Republican.&nbsp; If Nancy Pelosi returns as Speaker of the House, she will control <em>all</em> legislation in the House and make sure ObamaCare remains the law of the United States.&nbsp; &nbsp;<br><br><strong><em>It is all about power,</em></strong> as Tolstoy understood:&nbsp;</p><p><em>In order to get power and retain it, it is necessary to love power; but love of power is not connected with goodness but with qualities that are the opposite of goodness, such as pride, cunning, and cruelty. </em></p></div></div></div>Sun, 05 May 2013 15:24:12 +0000teda57312 at http://www.freedomworks.orghttp://www.freedomworks.org/content/dems-criticize-obamacare-quest-control-house#comments